Womanly Intuition is Highly Overrated

pc: Wheaton College

It was early in the afternoon, and I was the lone parent in the waiting room of the Music School.

Entry door opened; I got up to take a look.

I did not recognize the man -- short, stocky -- wearing a light-coloured coat; peering into the empty practice rooms.
He stopped and smiled when he caught a glimpse of me.

"Where is the owner?" he asked.
I gave directions to the outside stairs which lead to the owners' residence.
"Uhmmm....what's her name?"
I said her first name.
"Are YOU one of the teachers?"
No. Did he want someone in particular?
"Never mind. So the stairs are where??"
They're outside of the front doors, to the left.
He smiled once again and exited.
My anxiety level suddenly shot up.

I hurriedly found my cell phone and called my husband.
I paced from hallway to the waiting room, and back again, as I explained the situation.
He was just as perplexed as me; but after five minutes I'd calmed down enough, 'tho still feeling wary, to hang up.
I continued to wait.

Don, the school co-owner walked in through the back door.
Did a man show up at their front door about 10 minutes ago?
"What man? I didn't see anyone?" he answered.
Once again, I felt anxious.
"Let me go back upstairs and ask my wife."
I waited for his return, all the while thinking that the Music School needed a better security system.
A camera by the door?  Doors that lock behind you?
A Guard? One can never be too sure in today's society.

Don returned with the missing pieces to the puzzle.
Don's wife had given a donation months (years?) ago to AA.
The stranger had  remembered her (tho' not her name).
He had successfully completed the Alcoholics Anonymous program.
He's sober.  He's happy.  Most of all, he's thankful.
And that's why he'd shown up at the Music School.
Talk about misjudging a fellow!!

12.8.23.18

My birthday celebration

...began in St Louis, MO

Hi dearest R,

Happy birthday my dearest. I thank God for you and

I do appreciate you a lot. May the Good Lord bless you,

and keep you healthy and strong;  and give you a joyful,

healthy, long life. May He provide for you always, through

me and the kids. I love you very much.

Your loving and always-faithful husband,

Rom

Mom's bedroom

Mom is terminally ill.  She has been living @ Joe & Jannette's  home.  I am thankful to God for their hospitality. Among other things, they've made sure to situate Mom in an environment that is both pleasant, and comfortable.

(Camille is in town because of Spring break). 

Gorgeous, one-of-a-kind paintings by  Agnes Rathonyi

How Do I Love Thee?

Let me count the ways.

   I love thee to the depth and breadth and height

   My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight

For the ends of Being and ideal Grace.

I love thee to the level of everyday's

   Most quiet need, by sun and candle-light.

   I love thee freely, as men strive for Right;

I love thee purely as they turn from Praise.

   I love thee with the passion put to use

In my old griefs, and with my childhood's faith.

   I love thee with a love I seemed to lose

With my lost saints, --- I love thee with the breath,

   Smiles, tears, of all my life! --- and, if God choose,

I shall but love thee better after death.

ELIZABETH BARRETT BROWNING

Clasped Hands: Robert & Elizabeth Barrett Browning






*******************

The last time

January 6, 2010... the last FULL day that our Family of 8 resided  under one roof. 

Who ever said that God "...enlarging our coast..." was not a painful process??! 

Merry Christmas '09

Our church's Christmas Play 2009 --- Shepherds reacting to Farrah, the Angel

Merry Christmas and
Happy New Year to All
God bless You and Yours this coming Year 2010!!!


Lyrics to a Christmas carol which is theologically-accurate as to the reason for the Season:

Hark! the Herald Angels sing,

"Glory to the newbornk King

Peace on earth, and mercy mild

God and sinners reconciled! (YaY!)

Joyful, all ye nations, rise

Join the triumph of the skies

With th' angelic host proclaim

Christ is born in Bethlehem

Hark! the Herald Angels sing,

Glory to the newborn King

Future Shock

An adorable picture of soon-to-be-married Dimas & Marni "borrowing" two cute Babies - Gabriella & Sylas

My mind has been on weddings/marriage recently as it's something I look forward to with our own children. No one is married yet, but it's  inevitable.  I am excited, yet a little apprehensive as I know it means our children separating from me and DH as parents in order to start their own families.  Hey, I suppose it's good to look at this upcoming Season of Life in terms of growth and fruitfulness in the Biblical sense. Our children's marriages will hopefully mean many, many, many Grandkids (the more the merrier); so the quote below by Herbert Hoover is appropriate.
Wonder of Life

Children are the most wholesome part of the race, the sweetest, for they are freshest from the hand of God.  Whimsical, ingenious, mischievous, they fill the world with joy and good humor.  We adults live a life of apprehension as to what they will think of us; a life of defense against their terrifying energy; a life of hard work to live up to their great expectations.  We put them to bed with a sense of relief--and greet them in the morning with delight and anticipation.  We envy them the freshness of adventure and the discovery of life.  In all these ways, children add to the wonder of being alive.  In all these ways, they help to keep us young. 

He hit the world on the head

....from a man the Media has never been able to throw dirt on... amazing!!  He has certainly hit the "world" on the head!!

Billy Graham's Prayer For Our Nation

THIS MAN SURE HAS A GOOD VIEW OF WHAT'S HAPPENING TO OUR COUNTRY!


'Heavenly Father, we come before you today to ask your forgiveness and to seek your direction and guidance. We know Your Word says, 'Woe to those who call evil good', but that is exactly what we have done. We have lost our spiritual equilibrium and reversed our values. We have exploited the poor and called it the lottery. We have rewarded laziness and called it welfare. We have killed our unborn and called it choice. We have shot abortionists and called it justifiable. We have neglected to discipline our children and called it building self esteem. We have abused power and called it politics. We have coveted our neighbor's possessions and called it ambition. We have polluted the air with profanity and pornography and called it freedom of expression. We have ridiculed the time-honored values of our forefathers and called it enlightenment. O Search us, Oh God, and know our hearts today; cleanse us from every sin and Set us free.  Amen!' 


Commentator Paul Harvey aired this prayer on his radio program, 'The Rest of the Story', and received a larger response to this program than any other he has ever aired. With the Lord's help, may this prayer sweep over our nation and wholeheartedly become our desire so that we again can be called 'One nation under God..'

(From a forwarded email...)

Merry Christmas !!

Twas the month before Christmas*
*When all through our land,*
*Not a Christian was praying*
*Nor taking a stand.*
*See the PC Police had taken away,*
*The reason for Christmas - no one could say.*
*The children were told by their schools not to sing,*
*About Shepherds and Wise Men and Angels and things.*
*It might hurt people's feelings, the teachers would say*
* December 25th is just a ' Holiday '.*
*Yet the shoppers were ready with cash, checks and credit*
*Pushing folks down to the floor just to get it!*
*CDs from Madonna, an X BOX, an I-pod*
*Something was changing, something quite odd! *
*As Targets was hanging their trees upside down*
* At Lowe's the word Christmas - was nowhere to be found.*
*At K-Mart and Staples and Penny's and Sears*
*You won't hear the word Christmas; it won't touch your ears.*
*And we spoke not a word, as they took away our faith*
* Forbidden to speak of salvation and grace*
*The true Gift of Christmas was exchanged and discarded*
*The reason for the season, stopped before it started.*
*So as you celebrate 'Winter Break' under your 'Dream Tree'*
*Sipping your Starbucks, listen to me.*
*Choose your words carefully, choose what you say*
*Shout MERRY CHRISTMAS ,
not Happy Holiday !*

Wish everyone you meet during the holidays a  MERRY CHRISTMAS
Christ is The Reason for the Christ-mas Season!

My Dad

My beloved ♥ Dad ♥ passed away in the very early morning hours of November 26, 2009.

It was Thanksgiving Day, AND my wedding anniversary, but I choose to remember that day as a day to give thanks for the many blessings bestowed upon me by the Lord.  I loved my Dad, and he loved me; and I am grateful to God for the privilege of being his daughter.

I am grateful for the memories: the most recent being the genuine look of joy, happiness, and relief he expressed as he greeted me when I walked into their home through their kitchen door a few days ago. Of course, I got there by driving his beloved Lexus RX 300 that he so generously lent to me.  That same night, he beckoned me over to his room after an awkward time with Mom, to tell me with all the sincerity he could muster -- "Don't worry about it..don't feel bad."  And, he was  grateful when I said a prayer to God above for him and Mom just before I left the next morning. 

My Dad had his faults (just as the rest of us), but I claim the forgiveness that's available throught the Lord Jesus shown in the Word of God: But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowsip one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin (1 John 1:7)

My Dad heard the Good New, the Gospel of Jesus Christ which reconciles us to God through the shedding of His blood on calvary's cross --- a FREE gift to anyone who wants it.  Therefore, God's Word - So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God (Romans 10: 17),  brings me hope and comfort during this very difficult time. 

For by grace are you saved, through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:  Not of works, lest any man should boast. Ephesians 2: 8,9

Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect?  It is God that justifieth. Romans 8:33

And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.  2 Corinthians 12:9

Back to Neiman Marcus' Restaurant

I was sent yet another Perk Card (Thanks, NM!).  This time I took Jared, AJ, Jill, and Farrah to NM's Zodiac Restaurant.  It's an intimate restaurant, nicely-decorated as expected from a  high-end retailer.
Farrah looks around, and sums up the restaurant crowd with this question:  Why do I see sooo many old people?!  That's so many old, RICH people, dearie!

Strawberry Butter; Popovers

Chicken Broth

Farrah -- All beef Hot Dog, chips, fruit cup

AJ:  Pasta and Butter;  with Parmesan Cheese

Jill:  Seared Salmon, roasted herb Potatoes, seared Asparagus

Jared:  Sherried Chicken Livers, sauteed with Apples & Onions

Me:  Waldorf Chicken Salad

Dessert:  Giant NM Chocolate Chip Cookies; topping of ice cream and chocolate syrup

Application to Date our Daughters

Application for Permission to Date Our Daughter

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NOTE: This application will be incomplete and rejected unless accompanied by a complete financial statement, job history, lineage,and current medical report from your doctor.


NAME______________________________________ DATE OF BIRTH______________

HEIGHT____________ WEIGHT_____________ IQ__________ GPA_____________

SOCIAL SECURITY #___________________ DRIVERS LICENSE #____________________

BOY SCOUT RANK AND BADGES______________________________________________

HOME ADDRESS__________________________ CITY/STATE___________ ZIP_________

Do you have parents? ___Yes ___No

If No, explain:

_________________________________________________________________________________

Number of years they have been married __________________________________________________

If less than your age, explain ___________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________

Do you own a van? _______________
A truck with oversized tires? _______________
A waterbed?_______________
A pickup with a mattress in the back?_______________
Do you have an earring, nose ring, or a navel ring? _______________
A tattoo?_______________

(IF YES TO THE ABOVE, DISCONTINUE APPLICATION AND LEAVE PREMISES)

In 50 words or less, what does LATE mean to you?_________________________________________



________________________________________________________________________________



________________________________________________________________________________

In 50 words or less, what does "DON'T TOUCH MY DAUGHTER" mean to you?


________________________________________________________________________________



________________________________________________________________________________



In 50 words or less, what does ABSTINENCE mean to you?

________________________________________________________________________________



________________________________________________________________________________


Church you attend ___________________________________________________________________



How often you attend ________________________________________________________________



When would be the best time to interview your:

father? ______________
mother? _____________
pastor? ______________



Answer by filling in the blank. Please answer freely, all answers are confidential.

A: If I were shot, the last place I would want to be shot would be:

________________________________________________________________________________


B: If I were beatern, the last bone I would want broken is my:  ________________________________________________________________________________



C: A woman's place is in the:

________________________________________________________________________________



D: The one thing I hope this application does not ask me about is:

________________________________________________________________________________



What do you want to do IF you grow up? ________________________________________________



________________________________________________________________________________



________________________________________________________________________________



What is the current going rate of a hotel room? _____________________________________________



I SWEAR THAT ALL INFORMATION SUPPLIED ABOVE IS TRUE AND CORRECT TO THE
BEST OF MY KNOWLEDGE UNDER PENALTY OF DEATH, DISMEMBERMENT, NATIVE
AMERICAN ANT TORTURE, CRUCIFIXION, ELECTROCUTION, CHINESE WATER
TORTURE, RED HOT POKERS, AND HILLARY CLINTON KISS TORTURE.



_____________________________________________

Signature (that means sign your name, moron!)

Thank you for your interest. Please allow four to six years for processing.  You will be contacted in writing if you are approved. Please do not try to call or write (since you probably can't, and it would cause you injury). If your application is rejected, you will be notified by two gentleman wearing white ties carrying violin cases (you might watch your back).

Haircut & Haircolor with a Wunderkind

Before....

I was in need of a haircut/hairstyle/haircolor...you name it.  Sylvia had graduated from the Beauty College several weeks before, but she had recommended student Derrick before she left. He was new, (and not a kid, so I use the term wunderkind loosely) but already drawing rave reviews.  I finally took her up on it, and made an appointment with a request for Derrick for me, Jared, and AJ.
First, he colored my hair (dark brown on top, brown/black underneath);  cut, then styled; then cut some more...I wish I could take his fabulous, talented hands home with me.

A note of Thanks to my patient Boys, as we were at the Beauty College for over 3 hours!

...After

My photographer

Godiva Chocolatier: Lucky the Cat & Dark Chocolate Pearls in Mandarin

"Lucky" the Milk Chocolate Cat

Dark Chocolate "Pearls" with Mandarin Orange

Group shot

awwwww.....

Bought these delicious items from ♥ Godiva  ♥    The un-lucky cat was jiggled in its packaging and a hole-in-the-head resulted.  Since it was already sold out, Godiva will send me a white-chocolate box of goodies as compensation.  Hoooooray!

Autumn Leaves

I was upset.

AJ and Farrah had not even finished raking OUR leaves, when they ran over to the neighbors to help them rake THEIRs. Downright disobedience, that's what it is.  Shirking of responsibility. Laziness. And they're laughing hysterically, for crying out loud.  What is this, fun and games?!

I yelled (inside the house).  I lectured (part of my job). I scowled (I'm upset, after all).
It worked --- soon, they were back at work on OUR yard.

Now, I feel guilty.

Look at these priceless pictures.  So cute. Good memories in the making. 
Did my grumpy attitude ruin it all?